EPA funding available to support communities in building local food systems

BY EMMA PEPPER, DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC NETWORK COMMUNICATIONS, THE HUB

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is inviting communities interested in revitalizing neighborhoods through development of local food systems to apply for Local Foods, Local Places technical assistance.

Local Foods, Local Places supports projects that:

• Create livable, walkable, economically vibrant main streets and mixed-use neighborhoods.
• Boost economic opportunities for local farmers and main street businesses.
• Improve access to healthy, local food, especially among disadvantaged populations.

Eligible applicants include local governments, Indian tribes, and nonprofit institutions and organizations proposing to work in a neighborhood, town, or city of any size anywhere in the United States. Communities with projects located in federally designated Opportunity Zones will receive special consideration. Highest consideration will be given to those communities who can identify how Local Foods, Local Places assistance will leverage the Opportunity Zone designation to support implementation of the resulting action plan.

The deadline to apply is September 30, 2019.

The complete application instructions are available at https://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/local-foods-local-places-2019-2020-application.

A webinar will be held on September 4, from 2-3pm to provides an overview of the program and the selection criteria for the 2019-2020 application. Register for the webinar at https://epawebconferencing.acms.com/lflp6-application/event/event_info.html.